Jinnah & Shariah

Just recently I came across a brilliant article in which the writer has collected all the quotes of Mohammad Ali Jinnah which highlights the Quaid’s intention of fighting for a Modern Islamic State, which was to be Pakistan. Although the full article can be read at the following link, I would like to mention some of the notable quotes of Mohammad Ali Jinnah as excerpts from that article.

http://members.tripod.com/no_nukes_sa/chapter_5.html

I would like to suggest to the readers to forward the following article if they find it suitable, to all they can, so that the confusion, which is being deliberately hatched by some of our misguided brothers, can be cleared.

The Flag of Islam
In an address to Gaya Muslim League Conference in January 1938, Jinnah begun mapping out his new world view. He said:

When we say ‘This flag is the flag of Islam’ they think we are introducing religion into politics - a fact of which we are proud. Islam gives us a complete code. It is not only religion but it contains laws, philosophy and politics, In fact, it contains everything that matters to a man from morning to night. When we talk of Islam we take it as an all embracing word. We do not mean any ill. The foundation of our Islamic code is that we stand for liberty, equality and fraternity.

Lahore Resolution (1940)
He spelled out his reasons for reaching out towards the 'Pakistan' goal in his Lahore (1940) address in more or less ideological terms, arguing that "Islam and Hinduism... are not religions in the strict sense of the word, but are... different and distinct social orders", that "the Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, literature", "to two different civilizations", that they "derive their inspiration from different sources of history"... (with) different epics, different heroes and different episodes." "We wish our people", he declared, "to develop to the fullest our spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political life in a way that we think best and in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people."

Jinnah for Shariah
Shariah is simply defined the Islamic Law, isn’t it? Read the following excerpt.

"We are a nation," he wrote to Gandhi on 17 September 1944, "with our distinctive culture and civilization, language and literature, art and architecture, names and nomenclature, sense of values and proportion, legal laws and moral code, customs and calendar, history and traditions, aptitude and ambitions; in short, we have our own distinctive outlook on life and of life."

He returned to this more extensively in his Id message in September 1945, saying:

"Everyone, except those who are ignorant, knows that the Quran is the general code of the Muslims. A religious, social, civil, commercial, military, judicial, criminal, penal code, it regulates everything from the ceremonies of religion to those of daily life; from the salvation of the soul to the health of the body; from the rights of all to those of each individual; from morality to crime, from punishment here to that in the life to come, and our Prophet has enjoined on us that every Musalman should possess a copy of the Quran and be his own priest. Therefore Islam is not merely confined to the spiritual tenets and doctrines or rituals and ceremonies. It is a complete code regulating the whole Muslim society, every department of life, collective[ly] and individually."

Social, civil, commercial, judicial, criminal, penal code. Do we still need clearer words? If yes then we have ‘it is a complete code regulating the whole Muslim society, every department of life, collectively and individually’

Pakistan as a Bulwark of Islam
After independence, as head of the state he had founded, Jinnah talked in the same strain. He talked of securing "liberty, fraternity and equality as enjoined upon us by Islam" (25 August 1947); of "Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice and the equality of manhood" (21 February 1948); of raising Pakistan on "sure foundations of social justice and Islamic socialism which emphasized equality and brotherhood of man" (26 March 1948); of laying "the foundations of our democracy on the basis of true Islamic ideals and principles" (14 August 1948); and "the onward march of renaissance of Islamic culture and ideals" (18 August 1947). He called upon the mammoth Lahore audience to build up "Pakistan as a bulwark of Islam", to "live up to your traditions and add to it another chapter of glory", adding, "If we take our inspiration and guidance from the Holy Quran, the final victory, I once again say, will be ours" (30 October 1947).

Guidance from Holy Quran, isn’t that Shariah?

Islamic Economic System
As for the specific institutions of the new state, he exhorted the armed forces to uphold "the high traditions of Islam and our National Banner" (8 November 1947); and commended the State Bank research organization to evolve "banking practices compatible with Islamic ideals of social and economic life" and to "work our destiny in our own way and present to the world an economic system based on true Islamic concept of equality of manhood and social justice" (1 July 1948).

Islamic, Muslim Rule
For Jinnah, "the creation of a State of our own was a means to an end and not the end in itself. The idea was that we should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men and which we could develop according to our own lights and culture and where principles of Islamic social justice could find free play" (11 October 1947). He told Edwards College students that "this mighty land has now been brought under a rule, which is Islamic, Muslim rule, as a sovereign independent State" (18 April 1948). He even described Pakistan as "the premier Islamic State" (February 1948).

What does Islamic, Muslim Rule mean if nothing else than Shariah.

Now following are some quotes which are being used frequently to make us believe that Jinnah wanted a secular state. Although if one looks into closely he would find its nothing like that.

Pakistan Not A Theocracy
Jinnah's broadcast to the people of the United States (February 1948) is in a similar vein:

I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of men, justice and fair play to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State -- to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non- Muslims -- Hindus, Christians, and Parsis -- but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.

While he laid a good deal of stress on Islamic ideals and principles, he ruled out theocracy, saying "Pakistan is not a theocracy or anything like it. Islam demands from us the tolerance of other creeds."

Technically speaking, theocracy means a government "by ordained priests, who wield authority as being specially appointed by those who claim to derive their rights from their sacerdotal position." Unlike Catholicism, there is no established church in Islam; (in fact, it decries such a church). Moreover, since Islam admits of no priest craft, since it discountenances a sacerdotal class as the bearer of an infallible authority, and since it concedes the right of ijtihad to "men of common sense", the concept of theocracy is absolutely foreign to Islam. Hence, during the debate on the Objectives Resolution (March 1947), Mian Iftikharuddin refuted the Congress members fears about the sovereignty clause, saying that "the wording of the Preamble does not in any way make the Objectives Resolution any the more theocratic, any the more religious than the Resolution or statement of fundamental principles of some of the modern countries of the world" (10 March 1949). Thus neither Iqbal, nor Jinnah, nor any of the independence leaders (including Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani) stood for a theocratic state.

Muslims will cease to be Muslims
Finally the one and only argument, taken from all of Jinnah’s quotes, is the following one, to prove their point is this one. Of all Jinnah's pronouncements it is his 11 August address that has received the greatest attention since the birth of Pakistan, and spawned a good deal of controversy. Although made somewhat off-the-cuff -- he said that "I cannot make any well-considered pronouncement, but I shall say a few things as they occur to me".

How can these remarks be termed as a policy statement is still alien to me.

... If you change your past and work together in a spirit that everyone of you, no matter to what community he belongs, ... is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges and obligations, there will be no end to the progress you will make. ...we must learn a lesson from this [our past experience]. You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the state ... we are starting in the days when there is no discrimination between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste, or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State.... I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the state.

In dissecting this statement, there is, however, little that could lend itself to disputation. There is no problems with the dictum that every one, no matter what community he belongs to, would be entitled to full fledged citizenship, with equal rights, privileges and obligations, that there would no discrimination between one community and another, and that all of them would be citizens and equal citizens of one state. These principles Jinnah had reiterated time and again during the struggle period, though not in the same words.

Pakistan Ka Matlab Kya?

Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947. The basis of Pakistan was the "Two Nation Theory", which basically meant that Hindus and Muslims are a separate nation and no matter how much efforts are made to reconcile them, all such actions, in the end, would be fruitless. History has and current affairs continue to give us a shining proof of this theory. Who can argue on this point after reading the plight of thousands of massacred Muslim men, women and children, during their migration to the land of pure in 1947. Who can deny the Two Nation Theory, after seeing with our own eyes, the fate of thousands of Muslims burned alive on the whims of the Gujrat CM, the criminal Modi?

Nowadays a scheme is being brewed by the so-called liberals that Pakistan was designed as a secular state by our founding fathers. While befitting replies have been given to them on several forums and occasions but probably the most plausible reply to their claim is the 'Two Nation Theory' itself. If Pakistan was to be a secular state, then what exactly does the Two Nation Theory mean? Why did our founding fathers put forward the demands of Pakistan on the basis of the Two Nation Theory? What is the meaning of Quaid-e-Azam's historical address of 1940, wherein he said,

"Mussalmans are a nation according to any definition of nation. We wish our people to develop to the fullest spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political life in a way that we think best and in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people". 

What does 'our own ideals' and 'genius of our people' mean? Doesn't it mean that 'our own Muslim ideals' and the 'genious of our Muslim people'? Why did they strive to make Islamic Republic of Pakistan when they could have very easily worked to make a safe haven in the secular United Republic of Hindustan?

Shouldn't the Quaid's ideal of 'Modern Islamic State' mean a state which will embrace all modernity as long as it maintains the state's Islamic identity?

I strongly believe that our so called liberal brothers are trying to play with the Quaid's words to only further their own wishes. Because nobody in Pakistan, nobody, is ready to believe the only other possible alternate i.e. the Quaid giving a false slogan to the Muslims of the sub-continent just to garner support. Nobody can ever believe that the unbreakable political integrity of the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah would sink as low as the political integrity of our current fickle political elite. The Quaid's political stature even today, is untarnished and unblemished. On numerous occasions he has based his politics on pure integrity and firm belief. One of the shiniest examples of which was demonstrated when he declined to use such a high bargaining chip as the Nehru love letters. 

Truth be told, it was the strong belief of both the Muslim leadership and the Muslim nation, in the slogan 'Pakistan ka matlab kya, la illaha ilAllah', that resulted in the birth of the miracle of Pakistan. For this slogan clearly indicated to every Muslim, that there are no wishes except for the wishes of Allah, and only HIS wishes would make the land of the pure a spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political super power. 

Today Pakistan is burning. Pakistan is burning in conflict, despair, poverty, corruption, hopelessness and abject surrender. We today are divided and dis-illusioned. So much so that many of us have even started questioning the two nation theory. While some of us are wondering that how come this very Pakistani nation stood and braved the storm created in the sub-continent against the Muslims, by the jingoistic hindu majority with the help of the super power of that era, the British. How was it that we achieved our dream to have our very own Modern Islamic State? 

For all those wondering and hoping for the birth of the same Muslim nation, the solution lies in our past. We need to reerect the 3 pillars of the Quaid and to restart the chant of the ever popular slogan. For only 'La Illaha IlAllah' would re-unite our divided nation; return the faith which makes us see the goal and not the challenges; and re-inculcate the necessary discipline, required to make us achieve our goals. For only 'La Illaha IlAllah' would give us Unity, Faith and Discipline to achieve the Quaid's dream of a 'Modern Islamic State'. 

The state of our State

Recently I had the courage to see two talk show programs almost together. They threw some light on the pathetic state in which our country is.

The first talk show was 'Live With Talat', in which he povided some analysis and root cause of the support that Taliban are enjoying in our tribal areas. The whole world including our leaders call these people as extremists and the criminal elements of our society. They force purdah, they bomb schools, they execute capital punishments in public! Then why are these people enjoying the support of the locals of the area where they are living? Why don't the locals rat them out?

The profiles of these Taliban Commanders discussed in the program were more or less the same. Uneducated (both in Deeni and Worldly knowledge) and mostly poor. But still they enjoy support in every area in which they go! Why? The program argued that the only thing that these Taliban deliver is speedy and cheap justice to the locals. Which is the truth. I have never heard that these people have built roads, dams, industries etc Infact, I realized, that these are the very things that a progressive nation can do on its own! But for resolution of disputes, a third party is required which is strong, can deliver fair judgements and have the authority to execute these judgements.

Imagine you live in these areas and you fall below the poverty line. You take some loans to start a business. The business starts off well and you start seeing profits and a stable future for yourself and your family. In comes now the local landlord, the politician, the mafia, or just a plain stupid whose only qualificiation is that he is connected with the CM, Governor, DIG, IG or some other powerful personality protected by the state. He slaps you twice on your face and asks you to leave the shop and transfer the ownership to him. The choice offered to you is simple, your life or your shop? Do you have anyother option? People who don't live in Pakistan, will immediately say, 'Where are the courts?'. Well okay for arguments sake you go to the police station to lodge the FIR. The police says no because they want to keep their jobs as well. So now you have no FIR and no case to be presented in the court. Still persistent, you go to the courts to complain about the police. But for that you need a hot shot expensive lawyer. You take more loans to hire him. The lawyer starts the case, and now you are sitting at home jobless trying to not only feed, but also protect your family from the local gooons. You wait desperately for a quick and speedy justice. After a year of endless series of arguments, counter arguments and adjournments you find that even if you do get your shop back, you are now effectively in 20 years of debt!

In comparison, now let us discuss an area where the state has lost its writ. And these so called extremists are in charge. These 'extremists' create a court, appoints a person who has knowledge of Quran and Hadith (in other words Shariah Law). The person is known as a Qazi (or judge), he is given the support of a few Taliban gunmen. Now you, not even bothered about FIRs, or hiring a lawyer etc, run to the Qazi court, wait for your turn and tell the Qazi what wrong has been done to you. The Qazi orders the Taliban gunmen to produce your opponents in his court. He boots out the lawyers and hears both sides of the story from the defendent and accuser directly, studies the documents and questions the witnesses. He doesn't hear arguments or counter arguments and doesn't give any adjournments to corrupt lawyers for 'preparing' a case! He orders severe public punishment for your opponents, which the Taliban gunmen execute immediately. You get your shop back within a day or at most 3-4 days. Not even a dime was spent by you.

My question is simple. Will you support a state which protects the Rich, powerful and criminals and in return indict the poor, weak and innocent? Or will you support a militant organization fighting that very state and promising you justice and equal opportunity? .

Well, you would say, that things can't be that bad. We do have a judicial system don't we? Thats exactly what I thought. But then comes the second talk show, 'Jawab Deyh' presenting Mr. Aitezaz Ahsan a prominent lawyer. Mr. Ahsan went on endlessly explaining his legal point of view in reply to a question, basing his answer on this case and that case and this technicality and that technicality. Seeing his arguments I immediately gathered what it would be like inside a court room. And thanked God that I have never ever seen one. During the show it was also discussed that he gets crores (billions of rupees) in fees for high profile cases, yearly.

Finally, I questioned myself and I put the same question to you. Are these people, which the international media and our state label as 'Taliban', 'Extremists' and 'Religious Fanatics', really just that or are they controlled and powered by people who had been repeatedly denied justice by the very state which should work to protect their interests? Even if these 'Taliban' are criminal, shouldn't a fair court and judicial system based on equality and providing, quick and inexpensive justice, catch and punish these criminals as well? Shouldn't we ask our leaders that instead of wasting millions and millions of tax payer's money on the Presidency, PM House, Governor houses, CM houses, Parliament, protocols etc they should rather invest this money on the poor people of our country, providing them at least speedy and cheap justice? If we are calling Taliban (which by the way are Pakistanis) as criminal and wrongful challengers of our state's writ, shouldn't we first compare the life style of the Taliban commanders with the life styles of the commanders of our state?

Five Types of Islamic Rulings

I read this in monthly Albalagh (http://albalagh.deeneislam.com). 

17 Point Deal between TNSM and Government in Swat

Over the days a lot will be said and written about these 17 points. ‘Liberal’ people are going to create a havoc about these points and will continue their berate against Ulema and Mullahs. I don’t see anything wrong in this. And I sure hope that these and other points, especially, Islamic Economic System, are implemented in the rest of the country as well. I pray that the fighting stops and peace is restored in Swat. Ameen.

17 Points copy and pasted from Daily Dawn 4th March 2009

The 17 points are: 1) crackdown on drug traffickers; 2) anti-obscenity and vulgarity campaign; 3) ending corrupt practices; 4) ban on music and CD centres; 5) closer of shops, markets and offices during prayer timings; 6) expelling of prostitutes and their pimps from the region; 7) creating awareness among people about drawbacks of crimes; 8) action against profiteers and hoarders; 9) addressing people’s complaints on urgent basis; 10) rehabilitation centres for drug addicts; 11) imparting Islamic education and reforms in all jails in Malakand; 12) pursuing ulema for ummah’s unity and curbing sectarianism; 13) practical steps to restore public trust on police stations; 14) protection of rights of employees and employers; 15) transfer of corrupt and bad characters police officials; 16) installing complaint boxes in front of each administrative officer’s office; and 17) provision of inheritance right to women.

Islamic Banks Steady in Financial Crisis

In a recent article in Washington post (31st October 2008), it has been highlighted that Islamic banks (based on Islamic Shariah) are stable amongst Financial crisis. U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert M. Kimmet has already reached Jeddah to study the principles of Islamic Financial System. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103004434.html

Shariah is the answer, isn't it?

Rumours from KalTak by Javed Chaudary

In the last show of Javed Chaudary, he ranted for about 5 minutes on rumors and the tension caused by those rumors. I hope he learns that spreading a rumor without investigating it is a similar crime as initiating the rumor!

By mentioning these rumors in his show, he has given them a much bigger audience, hasn't he?